He said: “Contrary to the rumours and reports circulating in the media, we want to confirm we have no interest in Fabricio Coloccini and although he remains my ex-captain and a great player, he will not be coming to Crystal Palace.”

This ends any speculation linking the defender, and Newcastle club captain, with the Eagles.

The Mirror reported a few weeks ago that Palace wanted to move for Coloccini, with his future at St James' Park in doubt.

He played his best football under Alan Pardew on Tyneside, and although he has struggled in the last few years, at the age of 33 he still has a few years ahead of him as a top level footballer.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.